Association Quote by George Steiner
“The poet's discourse can be compared to the track of a charged particle through a cloud-chamber. An energised field of association and connotation, of overtones and undertones, of rebus and homophone, surround its motion, and break from it in the context of collision .. in Western poetry so much of the charged substance is previous poetry.”
About This Quote
Source Book: After Babel, George Steiner, 1975
Poetry is likened to a particle moving through a cloud chamber, surrounded by associations that fragment upon collision, reflecting how each poem builds on previous works.
In simple terms: Poetry builds on past works, creating complex associations.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and explore the layers of meaning in poetry.
Themes
creativity
intertextuality
analysis
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- reading poetry
- writing poetry
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
literary theory
association
collision
Questions to Reflect On
- How do previous poems influence your interpretation?
- What role do hidden associations play in meaning?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overcomplicate the poetic process for some readers.
![“[T]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political society. And voluntarily, through the private interaction of individuals and associations - what we can call civil society. ... In a civil society, you…” quote by Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8b/ed-crane-39299_affair_t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways_34431.jpg)
